Tips for An Effective Online Job Search

April 2009

Looking for a job online may seem like an easy task. But if you want to get accurate results, it requires more than just punching in certain information fields. Research shows that nearly 75% of all online job seekers become just another 'user id' on the job site. But if 25% of the people are getting the required response, there must be something they are doing right! What is it?

Searching for a job is not just about spending an hour or so registering with a job site. It requires more planning and effective processing. Here are a few steps that these 25% use that makes their search prudent.

Have Clear Goals and A Plan

You must be very clear about what you are looking for in order to find it effectively. Chart out your abilities, strengths, priorities, location preference, etc., before even logging onto the net. Before registering with a job site, you must be extremely clear about your goals and strategy.

Choose the Right Sites

There are loads of job sites but you can't go register with each one of them. (This is what the 75% of the crowd does.) The successful 25% choose the sites carefully. Pick your sites smartly. Register with a leading integrated job search site, which gathers the information from various job search engines and company websites in one place.

Register Right

Spend time registering yourself in the sites. Market yourself effectively. Use the right words and be specific when selecting your fields. Make your sales pitch very clearly and confidently. Remember, this is what the recruiters are actually judging you on. Ensure that your CV is updated and mentions all your accomplishments and strengths in a clear and concise manner. Ensure you give a contact number and mail address which you check regularly.

Track and Follow Up Effectively

This is one task to which most people do not assign adequate importance. Just registering yourself online is not the end of it. In fact, the real work starts now. Track the response effectively. Maintain a log and be organized. Follow up regularly. Check your emails and reply immediately. Give your mobile number so that you don't miss any calls. Be prepared for taking such calls professionally. This is the first human contact with your recruiters, and how you answer your calls or reply to emails will make (or break) their first impression of you.

Once you have grabbed yourself an interview, ensure that you are well prepared for it. That is the next step in your successful search, however it is important that you handle the first level of searching jobs online smartly. Follow the above tips and make your search an efficient and effective one.

Prashant Parikh
You can read more articles by Prashant on EzinArticles.com